Opening night crowed at Hodgetown. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Sports have always been a passion of mine. From working in the equipment room from 2011-2017 at Amarillo High and West Texas A&M, to where I’m now helping run a sports website and getting taking action photos.
It has been a long road to get to where I am, and sometimes it feels like I‘ve struck out more than hit a home run.
But in reality, that’s hardly the case. I get a reminder almost daily that I’m only 23-years old, and have already gotten my foot in the door when it comes to one of the funnest jobs in the world… sports photography.
So with sports photography, I wanted to share a Top 5 list of my all-time favorite moments in this amazing industry so far.
5. Being in the middle of the Amarillo High-Tascosa rivalry game last year at Dick Bivins Stadium. Being an Alumni of AHS, the “Hell Week” game is always a special event. I’ve seen it as a fan, as an equipment manager and now through a lens. That opportunity was one of my favorite moments since I’ve been so connected to it.
Amarillo Bulls after winning the North American Hockey League South Division in 2019 [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
4. The night the Amarillo Bulls won the North American Hockey League South Division on their home ice was captivating. Snapping shots of celebration that stand still in time is an incredible rush. Not for me, but also for the team. Seeing their excitement, and capturing it at the perfect time will always be a memory. Seeing the players, the coaches and fans all come together was truly special.
3. OK, so this isn’t as much to do with photography but more videography. Press Pass owner Kale Steed asked me to go to Wellington and help him with a project called “Fly Boy”. Wellington senior stud John Michael Holcomb earned his pilots license and Kale was putting together a package on it and his airplane. Me being smaller than Kale, I overcame my fear and jumped in the back of John’s small engine plane and got video of him flying. Yes, I was in the air with a 17-year old and lived to tell about. It was a blast.
2. Covering last years West Texas A&M-Eastern New Mexico Wagon Wheel game held a special place to me. In 2014 I was the equipment manager for the Greyhounds. In 2015, I transferred back to Canyon, taking over the same role at WT. I had friends playing and coaching on both sides of the ball that night. It wasn’t a close game, ENMU rolled, but being able to take photos for both teams was a cool experience. It was also a lot easier than doing the equipment duties.
1. My favorite moment so far of my young career has easily been covering the Amarillo Sod Poodles home opener. What else is there to say. This was one of the most historic sporting events in the Amarillo-area in quite some time. Seeing a sold out downtown ballpark become a reality, not to mention the return of affiliated ball was awesome. It’s cool to say I
took those historic photos that will be used for years to come.
All of those memories make me think about how much the future holds. With so much more to come as a sports photographer, It makes me excited to go to work everyday and capture new memories